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Johnston Carmichael Boosts Leadership Team With Seven Appointments



Leading independent UK accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has strengthened its leadership team with seven senior appointments across the business, including one partner promotion.


The move forms part of its continued investment in developing future leaders and building a lasting legacy as the firm celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.


The latest senior appointments include one new partner and six new directors spanning the firm's legal, Technology & Life Sciences, Rural, and Business Advisory practices across Scotland.


Keith Hamilton has been promoted to Partner in recognition of his leadership as Chief Legal Officer and Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC). Keith joined the firm in January 2023 and has become a trusted adviser to the Board and senior leadership, holding key officer roles including Money Laundering Reporting Officer, Data Protection Officer and Whistleblowing Officer.


The six director promotions are:

Natalie Robertson (Business Advisory, Elgin): Natalie, who joined Johnston Carmichael as a trainee 19 years ago, leads the firm’s Family Office team, which specialises in advising families on a range of matters from their business interests to succession planning.


Suzanne Harrold (Business Advisory, Elgin): Suzanne Harrold, CA and ATT qualified, joined the firm in 2009 as a graduate and now supports a portfolio of clients with a focus on innovation and the food and drink sector. She leads Business Development, Digital Advisory and Outsourced Finance regionally, and helps develop our future talent.


Kim Lawrie (Business Advisory, Dundee): A Chartered Accountant (CA) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT)-qualified rural specialist with more than 13 years at the firm, Dundee-based Kim brings personal farming experience to her advisory work across Tayside and the wider Rural sector.


Calum Purdie (Technology & Life Sciences, Edinburgh): As Head of Technology & Life Sciences, Calum plays a leading role in developing and strengthening industry partnerships and continues to grow the firm’s relationships across key UK tech hubs including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Newcastle.


Chris Dick (Business Advisory, Elgin): A senior leader in the Highlands, Moray and North-East regions, Chris has over 14 years' service and has built a strong and growing Rural client base through effective engagement with the sector.


Michael Larg (Business Advisory, Elgin): Chartered Accountant (CA) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT)-qualified, Michael uses his deep technical knowledge to advise businesses across the Rural sector, with a primary focus on major landed estates.


Together, these promotions underline Johnston Carmichael's commitment to investing in its people and creating a culture of growth and opportunity. The firm has been accredited as a Great Place to Work and is committed to developing its people through initiatives such as the JC Impact Fund, which supports people raising funds for the causes that mean most to them, and its in-house LOV (Living Our Values) Awards.


Lynne Walker, CEO, Johnston Carmichael, said:

“Our people are what make Johnston Carmichael and these promotions reflect the depth of talent, expertise and ambition we're building for the future. As we mark our 90th anniversary, we remain focused on providing a platform where our people can build great careers, develop their leadership skills, and make a real difference for our clients and communities."

Mark Houston, Chair and Senior Partner, Johnston Carmichael, said:

"Keith and our new directors embody the values and ambition that define Johnston Carmichael. Each has shown exceptional leadership, driving our firm forward through collaboration, quality, and care for our clients and communities. I congratulate all those who have been promoted on this well-deserved recognition."

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UK energy engineering solutions provider BRUSH Group has announced its acquisition of Rybka, one of Scotland’s leading mechanical and electrical building services and sustainability consultancies.


The acquisition expands the Loughborough firm’s portfolio of services to include mechanical and electrical consulting engineering, BIM (Building Information Modelling), building physics, Passivhaus design and low carbon consulting – an area in which Rybka has grown to become a market leader in Scotland.


It also gives BRUSH a foothold in the Scottish market whilst enabling Rybka to grow into England and Wales, supported by London-based building services consultancy Eta Projects Ltd – acquired by BRUSH in 2022 – which has a strong track record in healthcare and critical infrastructure.


Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH Group said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Rybka on board as part of the BRUSH Group. We already share a lot in common and I see many of our values reflected in the way the team at Rybka works together to deliver outstanding results for their clients."

"I am impressed with their breadth of knowledge and expertise, and having Rybka as part of the Group will support our ESG ambitions and create decarbonisation opportunities with our customers.”


David MacLeod, Rybka chairman, said:

“We are very excited to be joining the BRUSH Group. Our proven track record as a provider of outstanding consultancy services, along with BRUSH’s reputation for delivering engineering excellence, will ensure we continue to go from strength to strength."

"Working in partnership with BRUSH we will grow our geographical footprint and build on our existing expertise, while continuing to deliver an exceptional customer experience.”


Established in Scotland in the 1990s, Rybka has continued to grow, especially with the advent of the decarbonisation agenda and drive towards a low carbon economy. With more than 50 staff located in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, Rybka will become a key part of the BRUSH Engineering Solutions portfolio whilst operating independently with existing partners and clients.


BRUSH’s engineering solutions offering brings the specialisms and complementary skills of each Group business together to deliver engineering services, including concept, design, authorising, consultancy, build and servicing. Working across the UK, the Group has clear ambitions to expand in line with the ever-growing markets in infrastructure electrification and renewables.


Rybka is the latest in a series of acquisitions and ventures by the BRUSH Group. The company anticipates that this acquisition will give rise to career opportunities for both the teams at Rybka and BRUSH, with the creation of more job roles across the UK.

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